Whatmore slams DRS absence after Pak faces barrage of umpiring errors

Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore has criticized the absence of the controversial DRS in their ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka.

Johannesburg: Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore has criticized the absence of the controversial Decision Review System (DRS) in their ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka following various umpiring decisions going against his side in the first Test in Galle.

Pakistan is on the brink of a certain defeat after losing three quick wickets for 36 runs by the end of day three while chasing a mammoth total of 510 set by Sri Lanka. The Test has been marred by at least 10 contentious decisions over three days by umpires Steve Davis of Australia and Ian Gould of England, with six of them going against the tourists. But the DRS, which allows players to appeal for reviews by the television umpire, is not being used in this series, reportedly due to cost factors. “They had it for England, so why not here? It does not seem right to me that you have it for one series and not for another,” Whatmore said. “The DRS should be made compulsory for every series. That will go a long way in helping a lot of things -- anything that will help make correct decisions,” he added. Asked if Pakistan will make an official complaint about the two on-field umpires, Whatmore said he would not make a public comment on it. “Whatever I need to say will be done through official channels. There will be a fair bit to say, but I can`t make any public comment. We will do it the right way. We have ways of communicating with those who matter,” Whatmore said. ANI